FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise designated)
(unaudited)
A. Partnership organization and formation
Ferrellgas, L.P. is a limited partnership that owns and operates propane distribution and related assets. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”), a publicly traded limited partnership, holds an approximate 99% limited partner interest in, and consolidates, Ferrellgas, L.P. Ferrellgas, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“Ferrell Companies”), is the sole general partner of Ferrellgas Partners and one of three general partners of Ferrellgas, L.P. Ferrellgas, Inc. has retained an approximate 1% general partner economic interest in Ferrellgas Partners and also holds an approximate 1% general partner economic interest in Ferrellgas, L.P., representing an effective 2% general partner economic interest in Ferrellgas, L.P. on a combined basis.
As the sole general partner of Ferrellgas Partners, Ferrellgas, Inc. performs all management functions required by Ferrellgas Partners. Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas, L.P., collectively referred to as “Ferrellgas,” are governed by their respective partnership agreements. These agreements contain specific provisions for the allocation of net earnings and loss to each of the partners for purposes of maintaining the partner capital accounts.
The term “general partner” (i) with respect to Ferrellgas Partners refers to Ferrellgas, Inc. and (ii) with respect to Ferrellgas, L.P. refers to (a) Ferrellgas, Inc., in the case of any economic general partner interest and (b) Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrellgas GP II, LLC and Ferrellgas GP III, LLC, collectively, in the case of any voting general partner interest. As the general partners of Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrellgas GP II, LLC and Ferrellgas GP III, LLC each have an equal vote and all general partner matters of Ferrellgas, L.P. are determined by the vote or consent of a majority of such entities. The general partners perform all management functions required by Ferrellgas, L.P. The general partner interests held by Ferrellgas GP II, LLC and Ferrellgas GP III, LLC are strictly voting and non-economic. Unless contractually provided for, creditors of Ferrellgas, L.P. have no recourse with regards to Ferrellgas Partners.
Ferrellgas, L.P. owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Finance Corp., whose only business activity is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of debt issued by Ferrellgas, L.P.
Ferrellgas, L.P. is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane and related equipment sales. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Ferrellgas, L.P. serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Due to seasonality, the results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending July 30, 2021.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas, L.P. and subsidiaries reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020.
Going Concern
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of operations, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Ferrellgas, L.P. has $500.0 million in unsecured notes due May 1, 2021, that are classified as current in its condensed consolidated financial statements. Additionally, Ferrellgas Partners has $357.0 million in unsecured notes due June 15, 2020, which Ferrellgas Partners failed to repay, that are classified as current in its condensed consolidated financial statements. Ferrellgas Partners’ ability to restructure, refinance or otherwise satisfy these notes is directly impacted by the cash flows of Ferrellgas, L.P. The ability of Ferrellgas Partners to restructure or refinance these notes is uncertain considering the level of other outstanding indebtedness. Given these concerns, Ferrellgas Partners believes